Welcome

Join us on Monday, August 10 from 11am - 12pm for an Online Information Session with Dr. Vivian Lindhardsen, Director of TESOL Certificate and Community Language Programs. RSVP today!

For more than 15 years, our intensive TESOL Certificate Program has offered a unique balance of theory and practice in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Starting Summer 2015, we are pleased to announce that our rigorous program will continue in a blended learning format with half of the instruction taking place online and half of the instruction taking place onsite, at Teachers College, Columbia University. We are offering the TESOL Certificate Program in an intensive format in the summer and in a part-time format, spread out over the Fall and Spring semesters from October to April.

The TESOL Certificate Program is ideal for recent college students, current teachers who want to improve their skills, and career-changers.

Please note: The application deadline for the part-time Fall-Spring program is August 25, 2015 for all applicants.

A Window Into Our Program

Theoretical Foundation

With its close affiliation with the graduate program in TESOL & Applied Linguistics, the TESOL Certificate program offers a theoretical foundation grounded in current research by experts in the field of TESOL. Students will gain a strong foundation in Classroom Practices, Second Language Acquisition, Pedagogical English Grammar, Second Language Assessment, and Intercultural Communication

Mimi

Alumni, 2014

"Best eight weeks I've ever spent were at the TC TESOL Cert Program. Wonderful teachers, classmates and curriculum. Hard work, but it has paid off as I am now happily teaching two ESL classes a week as I embark on my post-retirement career."

Mike

Alumni, 2014

"I can't think of a better move for a career-changer who is interested in entering the field of education than to spend a summer with some amazing colleagues and the outstanding faculty at the Teachers College TESOL program. Leave any worry at the door if you are concerned about being a student who hasn't stepped foot into classroom for a while. You are going to find a warm and welcoming environment which definitely embraces all manner of diversity -- including 'the age thing.' Do yourself a huge favor: sign up and go!"

Kate

Alumni, 2014

"I was not sure what to expect when I was accepted into Columbia's TESOL Certificate Program. It had been 30 years since I was in a classroom! What I found were wonderfully diverse classmates (diverse in age, experience and nationality), dedicated teachers, challenging assignments and a fascinating teaching experience. We worked hard, acquired a tremendous amount of new knowledge and laughed a lot with each other and our teachers. It was indeed a challenging 8 weeks, but we were supported, motivated and encouraged by our classmates, teachers and staff. And I was totally prepared to plunge into private tutoring in the fall. I highly recommend this program."

Troy

Alumni, 2013

"If you are interested in entering the field of TESOL, set aside one summer for this program. You will not regret it."

Chris

Alumni, 2013

"The program is first rate, in a class of its own. The experience of moving through it is well worth the time, effort and cost."

Claudia

Alumni, 2013

"If you are ready for a tough yet rewarding life-changing experience, sign up for the TESOL Cert program. You'll learn from a group of incredibly dedicated teachers and fabulous classmates from all over the world."